To promote the initiative, GAIL has created a corpus of Rs 50 crores for investing in Start-ups and would also provide mentoring to them in core areas of the company, i.e., natural gas and its derivatives. Speaking on the occasion, Tripathi said this would help Start-ups to realize their full potential at the earliest. He stressed upon the need to look at the initiative of Start-ups in the context of the economy cycle which is otherwise reversing and the need of the hour is innovation.

Tripathi also launched a Start-up Web Portal through which potential candidates can submit their proposals to GAIL. The Portal can be accessed through the GAIL website www.gailonline.com and will remain open till August 16, 2017.

Addressing the GAIL officials, Tripathi said the creation of the corpus fund under ‘Pankh’ was only a small beginning to promote innovative ideas and this could be reviewed and improved upon depending upon the response of entrepreneurs and the concepts received under the initiative.

As a responsible corporate citizen, GAIL would also invest in a few non-core areas like Health, Social and Environment sector, Tripathi said. This would be an exciting opportunity for diversification for GAIL and also support in the creation of a Start-up nation, he said.